At least two people were killed and four others wounded when a gunman opened fire at a bustling intersection in central Israel on Friday afternoon, the Israeli authorities said.
Avi Bitton, an Israeli police commander, said that the attack took place at a bus stop near the town of BтАЩnei ReтАЩem at around 12:30 p.m. The gunman was shot by an armed civilian on the scene and appeared to have acted alone, the Israeli police said, calling it an act of terrorism.
Six victims of the attack were taken to hospitals in central Israel where two of them were pronounced dead, according to the Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom.
The Israeli authorities did not formally identify the attacker or comment on his condition. The Israeli news media reported that the gunman was a Palestinian from East Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel condemned the attack and extended his condolences to the victims.
тАЬThis attack reminds us that the entire country is on the front line,тАЭ he said in a statement.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for FridayтАЩs shooting.
Israel has been on high alert since the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7. In late November, at least three people were killed when Palestinian gunmen who the Israeli authorities said were affiliated with HamasтАЩs armed wing opened fire at a Jerusalem bus stop.
On Friday, Hamas praised the shooting near BтАЩnei ReтАЩem and called it тАЬa natural responseтАЭ to the war that IsraelтАЩs military is waging against the armed group in Gaza.
Johnatan Reiss contributed reporting.
